Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Ok folks you seem to be my last resort in resolving this issue. Traded my underpowered 2011 Jeep for new 2012 Rubicon. Part of the deal was that dealer would remove Cooltech and base plates from 2011 and install on the 2012. They also installed a Chrysler hitch and towing harness for our ATV trailer. This is a round seven pin connection.
Our 2011 Wrangler had the factory hitch and wiring. This was a flat four connection. The Cooltech work flawlessly with the Jeep as a tow behind MH and as a tow vehicle. Since it had the factory harness we followed the Cooltech instructions and spliced the yellow wire into the 2011 as instructed.
On the new 2012, the Jeep dealer has been unable to make the Cooltech and the hitch/towing harness to work together. When first installed the Cooltech would work correctly with the MH. But the towing harness had no turn, running or brake lights on the right side of the ATV trailer.
I removed the left taillight on the 2012 and see that there is a small black module included in the dealer installed towing harness. I assume this is a diode pack. There was no such module on the factory towing harness in that location on the 2011. They've tried it with and without the yellow wire splice.
Took it back to dealer for two days. They have the trailer lights working but the Cooltech is not. I have verified that I have power at the back of the MH and continuity in the flat four harness between MH and Jeep.
Cooltech will not return emails or telephone calls from me or the Service Manager. Never seen such poor customer service. Their answering machine says they check their machine and return calls. NOT!
Help! Taking the Jeep back to the dealer tomorrow. Since I have in writing they would install hitch, base plate and wiring, I can play hardball if needed. I'm going to give them two days more to play with it and then ask that they take it to a specialty shop that does wiring for motorhomes.
* This post was
edited 05/15/12 06:36am by Thunder Mountain *
2007 HR Endeavor 40'PDQ
2012 Rubicon
2012 Keystone Outback 210RS
2013 Ford F150 FX4 Ecoboost
4 Cats
3 Dogs
2 Arctic Cats
1 Bottle of Jack Daniels
|
Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/10/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
There is some sort of an electrical adapter you have to use I'd imagine in order fror the lights to work. I had the same problem hooing up the camper lights I pulled with my GL1500 Goldwing. Seems the circuits are Asian and different from USA types. Parts house should have the adapter needed. JMHO
charles weidman
|
Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Turbo Diesel Dude wrote:There is some sort of an electrical adapter you have to use I'd imagine in order fror the lights to work. I had the same problem hooing up the camper lights I pulled with my GL1500 Goldwing. Seems the circuits are Asian and different from USA types. Parts house should have the adapter needed. JMHO
This is not the problem. Thanks for replying.
|
ploiselle
South Shore, MA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/28/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I believe the 2012 Rubicon works like the 2011/2012 Grand Cherokee Limited or Overland. You have to install a separate socket and bulbs in the taillights. The Jeeps lights are not used, just the newly installed sockets and bulbs with power from the MH. It has something to do with the computer. Here is Blue Ox part number. Blue Ox BX8869
From Blue Ox website for the BX8869:
Bulb and Socket Tail Light Wiring Kit
Does not tap into vehicle existing wiring, simple to install, fits most vehicles with clearance in taillight housing, operated by the towing vehicle.
wiring instructions.
Scroll down to wiring Blue Ox baseplate for 2012 Wrangler
I hope this helps.
Paul
41' MountainAire (MADP) -Spartan- Cummins 350 ISC
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Brake Buddy - CoachNet
|
gone2dadesert
Encinitas, Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 01/07/2004
View Profile
|
Sounds to me like there is a ground issue? The cooltech wiring harness might've been damaged when the 'dealer' was in the process of transfering the cooltech harness from your 2011 to your 2012.
The cooltech system is plug 'n' play and uses the existing factory wiring\fittings, but there is a ground wire (cooltech harness) that needs to be spliced into the factory ground wire... 
You might try going to a local business that does rv\auto wiring. Most likely, they'll use an old fashion test light to troubleshoot your issue.
2011 Hurricane 31J
2008 Jeep JK Unlimited Rubicon
|
|
|
Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
gone2dadesert wrote:Sounds to me like there is a ground issue? The cooltech wiring harness might've been damaged when the 'dealer' was in the process of transfering the cooltech harness from your 2011 to your 2012.
The cooltech system is plug 'n' play and uses the existing factory wiring\fittings, but there is a ground wire (cooltech harness) that needs to be spliced into the factory ground wire...
You might try going to a local business that does rv\auto wiring. Most likely, they'll use an old fashion test light to troubleshoot your issue.
I'll grab the ohm meter and check for an open ground.
|
Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Thunder Mountain wrote:gone2dadesert wrote:Sounds to me like there is a ground issue? The cooltech wiring harness might've been damaged when the 'dealer' was in the process of transfering the cooltech harness from your 2011 to your 2012.
The cooltech system is plug 'n' play and uses the existing factory wiring\fittings, but there is a ground wire (cooltech harness) that needs to be spliced into the factory ground wire...
You might try going to a local business that does rv\auto wiring. Most likely, they'll use an old fashion test light to troubleshoot your issue.
I'll grab the ohm meter and check for an open ground.
I checked. Open ground is not the problem. I'm going to insist that dealer take it to an outside shop if they can't fix it.
|
ploiselle
South Shore, MA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/28/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Can someone post a link to the CoolTech Harness. Sounds like I may be interested in it for our 2012 Overland.
thanks.
Paul
|
Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/09/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
cooltechllc.com Just don't expect any help from them if you have an issue. They have no customer service except to take your money and not respond.
|
wny_pat
Western NYS
Senior Member
Joined: 08/11/2007
View Profile
 Online
|
I've read other bad reviews about Cooltech. Looks and sounds good, but....
|
|
|
